TIIK ECONOMY OP COSSUS LIGNIPERDA. v 
417 
branch, under which it rocked to and fro in every gust of wind. But upon nearer 
examination, even before the young were hatched, I found the cordages broken 
in several places, and displaying in the interstices the real supports of the nest, 
namely, slender twigs that run down each rope, and were firmly fixed into the 
bottom of the nest. This present year I have not been able to obtain one spe¬ 
cimen. 
From this it would seem, that when' the cordage is used, which is only in 
particular cases, it is not for any support to the nest, but for the purpose of 
bringing into play certain leaves and branches, until the time that the nest is 
firmly fixed to them. During the period of incubation these little birds are re¬ 
markably tame, not only allowing the branch to be lifted up, but the nest to 
be touched, without alarm. 
Within, the nest is about one inch and a quarter in diameter, and two inches 
and a quarter in depth; but it is much deeper on the outside, being firmly 
and compactly made. 
Swinkope House, Lmcolnskire, 
September 1, 1837. 
REMARKABLE FACT RESPECTING THE ECONOMY OP 
Cossus ligniperda. 
By R. H.^'Cowlishaw. 
Having paid some attention to the study of Entomology, nothing has more 
astonished me than the wonderful economy of the Cossus ligniperda; and al¬ 
though much interesting and valuable information has already been afforded by 
eminent and distinguished naturalists, I feel assured by their continued research 
much more will be acquired than we are yet in possession of, perhaps to facilitate 
this object. 
. It perhaps may not be unworthy of observation or notice in your valuable 
publication, for those who are not in possession of the fact, and those who are 
disposed to investigate the wonderful phenomena of this interesting insect, that 
the larva is capable of living to a surprising length of time without sustenance or 
food, and also without preventing its coming to maturity or the perfect imago, as 
the following circumstance will corroborate. 
On the 13th of June, 1836, I took an excursion for the purpose of procuring a 
few specimens of the Cossus, in company with an intelligent naturalist, in the 
neighbourhood of Nottingham, where they so greatly abound amongst the Willow- 
